Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe preview

Europe's most prestigious flat race takes place on Sunday, October 2, as Paris-Longchamp stages the 2022 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Big names such as Luxembourg, Alpinista, and Adayar were among 27 remaining entries for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3.05) after the first forfeit stage on Monday.

There may be no Baaeed – with Europe's best horse being kept fresh for the Champion Stakes at Ascot later in October – but the Arc has a very competitive and open look to it.

O’Brien gunning for Arc hat-trick

Aidan O'Brien's Luxembourg could be the headline act after winning the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in gutsy fashion – he'll be attempting to give his Ballydoyle handler a third Arc win following Dylan Thomas (2007) and Found (2016) – the latter famously leading home a one-two-three for the Irish trainer.

Ralph Beckett's Irish Derby hero Westover remains on track for the €5m contest, with Rob Hornby set to be back in the saddle for the first time since they finished third in the Epsom Derby in June.

Sir Mark Prescott's mare Aplinista has won her last seven races, including the Yorkshire Oaks in August, and now counts herself as a five-time Group 1 winner. By the off on Sunday, she could even be the favourite.

Defending champion returns

Last year's shock winner Torquator Tasso is in the mix once more, the German-based runner having narrowly missed out in the Group 1 Preis Von Baden Stakes in his homeland in his prep run.

Prix du Jockey Club and Eclipse winner Vadeni could be the leading French hope for Jean-Claude Rouget – winner with Sottsass in 2020 – though joint trainers Carlos and Yann Lerner are sounding increasingly confident about the hopes of promising filly La Parisienne going into the Arc. She cost a mere €65,000 as a yearling and would be a major success story if she comes out on top.

There is also a strong Japanese challenge with Titleholder, Do Deuce, Stay Foolish, and Deep Bond all still in the mix to give Japan the Arc win they crave.

Strong British contingent

Other British entries include the John and Thady Gosden-trained horses Mishriff and Mostahdaf, Alenquer for Baaeed's trainer William Haggas, and West Wind Blows for the in-form Simon and Ed Crisford operation.

Veteran Broome could be a second string to Aidan O’Brien’s bow, while further Irish interest comes from Jim Bolger's Mac Swiney and the Ger Lyons-trained Thunder Kiss.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Cup heroine Verry Elleegant is expected to be added to the race at a cost of €120,000, having finished third in the Group 2 Prix Foy at Longchamp recently on her second start since locating to Europe.

Westover to challenge the favourites

Luxembourg was strong through the line in his Leopardstown win and should stay this extra two furlongs. He'll have to show plenty of resolve, however, with the mare Aplinista a real dogged sort unlikely to fold without a proper scrap ensuing.

Enable (2017) was the last three-year-old to win the Arc, though at that point she was making it a dozen winners from the Classic generation in the first 17 years of this century.

That points to a big showing from Luxembourg but perhaps Westover could be the surprise package. The Juddmonte-owned son of Frankel was luckless in the Epsom Derby but turned the Irish version into a procession later in June at the Curragh. 

Things didn't go to plan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July but the way he folded in that contest suggested it wasn't his true running. It would be foolish to dismiss the promising colt on the back of one misfire and, with winning form on soft ground, he won't mind getting his feet stuck in if what has become the norm prevails and the ground comes up testing at Longchamp.

 

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